Sheep Breeders Meet

Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Monday October 26, 2015 14:22

He said farmers should be equipped to measure efficiency. Mothibi said agriculture has become viable to the youth as many of them are venturing into it. “Commendable numbers are joining agriculture. But we should know it is a rugged job, not for the faint-hearted,” he said.

He said workshops are needed to empower more farmers to enhance productivity at farm level. He said people should not treat farming as a hobby but a job that has a meaningful contribution to the economy. He said more needs to be done to equip farmers as most of them do not have the skill but doing it out of passion and love. “With adequate training and necessary investment, we will export and create employment,” he added. Mothibi explained that agriculture currently contributes two percent to the GDP despite many households surviving on it. He said the numbers are a true reflection of an agric sector that is disorganised. He said an organisation such as Sheep Breeders Association would help to improve efficiency in farming. Botswana SBA, chairperson Aobakwe Gofamodimo, said local farmers are unable to satisfy the market. He said this is because most farmers are unskilled and do not understand breeding. He said the association has been established to close the education gap, as it would organise forums to empower members. He said they are planning to have an agric summit every year before the Agric Show to educate farmers on agriculture business.

“The market is huge. We can’t satisfy it. Infact any form of farming in Botswana has a market. It’s just that the farmers do not have the capacity. But with knowledge, they can do better and that’s the gap the association is trying to close. We want to go full steam on this.”

Gofamodimo said they intend to register members into the association as many young farmers have shown interest. He said they will establish regional committees to enhance productivity of the association and hold quarterly workshops to empower their members.

The association had invited South African sheep breeder, Ile De France, to workshop local farmers on breeding standards and management.